No Ill Will Toward Rangers Amid Trade Rumors

In Tarrytown, New York, Jacob Trouba, the captain of the New York Rangers, addressed the offseason trade speculations surrounding him, stating there is no “animosity” between him and the team’s management.

The 30-year-old defenseman is in the final two years of a seven-year contract that carries a cap hit of $8 million. Recently, his contract transitioned from a full no-movement clause to a partial 15-team no-trade clause as of July 1. Several reports had indicated that the Rangers requested a no-trade list from Trouba while he still had the full no-movement clause, suggesting they were exploring trade options.

Trouba clarified his perspective when speaking to the media as Rangers training camp kicked off. He explained, “I don’t think there was any animosity throughout the whole thing. Per my contract, I owe the list to them on June 30th. I knew that was coming.” He emphasized that submitting a no-trade list is standard practice in professional contracts and noted, “It’s just standard contract business.”

The Rangers’ general manager, Chris Drury, assured that communication has been positive, stating, “We’ve had a number of different conversations over the course of the summer, on a lot of different things.” He added that Trouba has a clear understanding of his value within the organization.

Expressing his feelings about the trade rumors, Trouba shared his frustration regarding the public speculation about his future and how quickly misinformation can spread. He pointed out how media reports focused on his wife, Dr. Kelly Tyson-Trouba, and her residency at a New York hospital, suggesting it might influence potential trading opportunities. Trouba cited his wife’s career as a significant reason for accepting a trade to the Rangers from the Winnipeg Jets back in 2019.

“People just run with random things. I’d love to find someone to verify a source. That would be nice,” Trouba expressed. He acknowledged the difficulties of dealing with media narratives that often evolve without sufficient verification.

Despite the offseason speculation, Trouba has made it clear that he wants to remain in New York. “I love living here. I love New York. My family loves it here, as everybody is now aware of,” he stated, adding, “I’m happy to be here and excited to be back.”

He also admitted that the trade rumors from the summer did not affect him. Trouba said he was not surprised, recognizing that such discussions are part of being a professional athlete. “I knew that was coming that summer. It’s not by surprise. It’s part of pro sports. I can get traded now. I know that,” he said, acknowledging the reality that many NHL players face similar situations.

Last season, the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final, where they were ultimately eliminated by the Florida Panthers, the eventual champions. This marked their second appearance in the conference finals in three years, showcasing the team’s competitive potential.

Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette praised Trouba’s leadership, stating that he was “a really good captain for us last year” and a crucial member of the team’s leadership core. Trouba himself believes this season represents a significant opportunity for the current roster. He noted, “In all likelihood, this will probably be the last crack for this core. I don’t think that’s a secret by any means.”

As the team gears up for the upcoming season, Trouba emphasized the camaraderie built over the years as they aim to achieve a common goal. “We’re a group that’s kind of grown together, spent some years together here, and we have something we want to accomplish,” he concluded.